Qs-As.doc

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) for DMA Q1: My company is working on a response for the WLAN for DMA solicitation and we needed the building drawings to complete the required heat maps, but cannot find them on FBO. Can you all provide the requisite building drawings for the solicitation?

A1: Due to security issues, we are unable to provide the building drawings; as such, a pre-proposal site visits is being provided for interested vendors.

Q2:

I understand that Fort Mead and the Defense Media Activity-Broadcast Center are secure facilities; however my question is, will this contract require our personnel to have security clearances to gain access these work sites?

A2: There is no security clearance requirement as access will only be allowed on unclassified areas.

Q3: Can DMA/DINFOS elaborate on their proposed definition of what is included/expected within a “turnkey Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) system”? Specifically, please define “turnkey” as it relates to this project.

A3: “Turnkey”- involves the provision of a complete product or service that is ready for immediate use. In a nutshell, DMA wants a WLAN to be installed and functioning as per proposal guidelines.

Q4: Is it possible to confirm the current closet count, switch models, and available port counts in each building/site?

A4:

DINFOS: 12 Closets All switches are CISCO. Models - Open Ports

1. A 4510 - 311

2. B4510 - 312

3. C4510 - 85

4. E4510 & 4507 - 95 & 64

5. F4510 & 4507 - 121 & 131

6. G4510 & 3750 - 8 & 25

7. H 4510 - 334

8. I 4510 - 265

9. J 4510 - 220

10. K4510 - 250

11. L4510 - 322

12. M 4510 - 321

DMA BC: 4 closets with Cisco 4500 w/100 Mb fiber cards

DMA HQ: Yes, but it is going to change due to network upgrade next year. There are 6 closets, plus one in the garage. The current port count is 175 open throughout the building, but none in the garage. All but one closet in the building has room for more blades in the equipment and the upgrade will also have some room. How much will be available at the time of the install is unknown.

Q5: Is there site-to-site connectivity between each of the three buildings?

A5: Minimal between DMA and DINFOS. There is point to point between all three, though.

Q6: Is 802.1X currently being implemented at each site? If so, is it local to each site or centralized?

A6: DINFOS - No current wireless for this network, so no 802.1X; DM BC - Yes a small four AP Cisco system; DMA HQ - Not at the point of associating a user with a layer two address. We do implement port security.

Q7: Are new network switches to be provided with this turnkey solution? Or, will the routing and switching infrastructure be provided by the government?

A7: DINFOS - Yes, old closets need them and "New DINFOS" closets were outfitted with POE-capable switches; DMA HQ - While hosting them over our existing infrastructure would be more cost efficient, the upgrade leaves us uncertain whether this will be available to the wireless installers; DM BC - It is not currently in our planning.

Q8: If routing and switching is government provided, what are the make, models, and quantities?

A8: DINFOS - No current wireless at this location; DMA HQ - Due to the stage of the network upgrade, we do not know what it will be at the time of wireless installation; DMA BC - In the event this does develop this way, we have a router that is Cisco ACS.

Q9: Does the current switching infrastructure at each site support Gigabit Ethernet and POE+?

A9: DINFOS - See A7 above, yes and no. Do support GiG-E but not POE; DMA HQ - We support Gig and POE+; DMA BC - No 3 of four closets are 100 Mb

Q10: Is a WLAN currently in place at any of the facilities? If so, what is the hardware currently in place?

A10: No WLAN exists at DINFOS; DMA HQ - The only WLAN currently in place is at HQ and will continue as it is without the interruption or interference of this WLAN; DMA BC – Yes, Cisco AP but just four

Q11: If 802.1X is currently being utilized onsite, is the deployment sufficient to support the addition of wireless clients?

A11: DINFOS will be a new wireless environment; DMA HQ - No 802.1X; DMA BC - No deployed but capable.

Q12: Is DMA/DINFOS expecting to deploy a centralized Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) to control all three sites, or is each site going to be independently managed by separate WLCs?

A12: For all three buildings - separate Wireless LAN Controllers, but we would prefer to be able to view and manage them from any site while maintaining some sort of independence.

Q13: Does DMA/DINFOS plan to reuse any existing WLAN hardware (if applicable) for this project?

A13: WLAN hardware is not applicable on DINFOS; DMA HQ – we do not plan to reuse any existing WLAN hardware.

Q14: In order to accurately determine the proper amount of wireless access points needed for a WLAN deployment, a wireless site survey is imperative. In order to meet the deadline of the solicitation response prior to a site survey, would DMA/DINFOS be willing to provide floor plans and square footage measurements for each site?

A14: Yes

Q15: Is Prime Infrastructure in place at any of the sites currently, and if so what version?

A15: DINFOS - Cisco Prime not in place at DINFOS; DMA HQ/DMA BC – No

Q16: Please clarify what constitutes “acceptable” past performance for evaluation purposes.

A16: Past Performance will be determined “acceptable” if the vendor has obtained or demonstrated a performance evaluation rating of at least “satisfactory”, or equivalent, on similar project in scope within the last 5 years.

Q17: Will this network be primarily used for standard office traffic? Or, will is also be used for Voice of IP and Video over IP?

A17: The use of the network is standard office traffic but it will augment an existing wired network at all locations.

Q18: With the site survey at Riverside occurring on May 17 and the proposal due on May 23, this only allows 5 calendar days to finalize and submit the proposal. To ensure the government has the best possible price, we are requesting a one-week extension to allow time to make any changes based on the site surveys.

A18: No, we are not extending this solicitation.